6:57:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Hiya

6:57:28 PM tkirr: Hey

6:57:51 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Hiya

6:58:08 PM ltcmdrbusard: Hey.

6:58:20 PM tkirr: Nice name =P

6:58:29 PM ltcmdrbusard: Thanks :-)

6:58:37 PM tkirr: Sorry I missed last week with no warning and all...

6:58:56 PM tkirr: Family visiting... kinda lost track

6:59:02 PM VAdm Blackthorne: No worries.

6:59:16 PM ltcmdrbusard: Well, family tends to take precedence anyway. :-P

6:59:41 PM tkirr: Yeah, well I still planned to come... 10pm and all heh

6:59:59 PM ltcmdrbusard: Meh. Sometimes things happen. *shrugs*

7:00:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: True that.

7:01:18 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Hiya

7:01:24 PM majdougmcknight: Hey hey.

7:01:34 PM ltcmdrbusard: Heya hun.

7:01:55 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Let's give antennahead a few minutes.

7:02:12 PM tkirr: 'Kay.

7:11:12 PM VAdm Blackthorne: And we're ready.

7:11:31 PM ltcmdrbusard: Wewt!

7:12:01 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Tonight, we're trying to get antennahead back.

7:12:56 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Gerard invited Blackthorne and two (three for the sake of inclusion) officers over to the Hemingway to discuss the situation again, now that fighting seems to be annoyingly even.

7:13:24 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Anything to add, Major?

7:14:14 PM cmdrshelev: am I invited

7:14:30 PM majdougmcknight: Um...other that that McKnight still hopes Blackthorne trips and falls into the warp core, no.

7:14:53 PM VAdm Blackthorne: You're with Gerard's party, Shelev, but you're out of jail.

7:15:59 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Any other questions?

7:16:13 PM ltcmdrbusard: When do we get the booze?

7:16:34 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Celebrations can come if we get our XO back.

7:16:44 PM ltcmdrbusard: Oh good.

7:17:08 PM VAdm Blackthorne: BEGIN SIM

7:17:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: BEGIN SIM

7:17:10 PM VAdm Blackthorne: BEGIN SIM

7:17:24 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::arrives in the transporter room, awaiting the rest of the party::

7:18:21 PM tkirr: ::walks in shortly after, appearing her usual smart self::

7:18:32 PM VAdm Blackthorne: *nods* Commander.

7:19:01 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Follows shortly::

7:19:17 PM VAdm Blackthorne: *nods*  Commander.

7:19:40 PM tkirr: ::nods back and turns to acknowledge Busard's entrance::

7:19:49 PM majdougmcknight: ::Just because I'm too immature to suffer being the last one there, McKnight was already leaning against the console.::

7:20:03 PM VAdm Blackthorne: All aboard. ::hops up onto the pad::

7:20:12 PM tkirr: ::takes her place in a beam spot::

7:20:29 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Steps up and takes a beam circle::

7:20:41 PM majdougmcknight: ::Is notably lacking the usual phaser, for obvious reasons, as he silently steps into formation.::

7:20:46 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Energize.

7:20:57 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ACTION> We shimmer into Hemingway's transporter room.

7:21:25 PM majdougmcknight: ACTION> Presumably no one was stupid enough to think they'd be able to bring a weapon along, but if so, it's been removed in transport.

7:22:58 PM majdougmcknight: Captain Dex> ::Nods curtly::  Blackthorne, Doug.  Sergeant Coleman and I are to escort you to the Captain's conference room.

7:23:20 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::nods:: Very well then.

7:23:46 PM VAdm Blackthorne: :::looks around, taking in how this definitely used to be a Starfleet ship, but isn't anymore::

7:25:03 PM tkirr: ::follows with the group, noting the decor as well::

7:26:08 PM majdougmcknight: ::Offers a brief smile to Dex, about as comfortable in the company of these men as he is with the party he came with, and follows slightly.  He does not pay much attention to the decor, though he likes the new carpeting.::

7:27:13 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Follows behind them, scrutinizing the ship.::

7:28:13 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> ::Waits in the conference room, frowning out his window at the Atlantis hovering off in the distance, his back to Shelev, for the moment confined to this room but not physically restrained.::

7:28:35 PM majdougmcknight: ::Hell, he's even got a drink if he'd want one right now.::

7:28:43 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Atlantis> ::menaces with spikes of awesome::

7:28:54 PM cmdrshelev: (( \o/ ))

7:30:07 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Harper> ::sitting smugly in the center seat, controlling the awesome::

7:31:08 PM majdougmcknight: ACTION> Dex leads everyone up to the bridge, where the crew greets the Star Fleet delegation with suspicious looks as they pass into the conference room, despite the fact that most of BOTH groups were born Federation citizens.

7:32:07 PM tkirr: ::takes in the differences of the bridge compared to her own::

7:32:12 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::is reminded of the USS Yeager, also a Nebula class, where he started his command career::

7:32:33 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::gives a slight frown at the suspicious looks, fiddling slightly nervously with a pen in her pocket.::

7:33:23 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::as he enters the conference room:: Captain. Love what you've done with the place.

7:34:36 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (WB)

7:35:50 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> ::Turns around to greet the group::  I'm thinking of purchasing another some time down the line.  Commodore Gerard has a nice ring to it.  Of course, I guess that'll have to wait awhile.  This hasn't been

7:35:55 PM majdougmcknight: cheap in any sense of the word.

7:36:15 PM VAdm Blackthorne: I imagine not. ::gestures:: You've met my senior staff.

7:36:41 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::looks to Shelev, noting he seems to be intact::

7:36:42 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> ::Nods to Shelev, and motions with his chin for their guest to rejoin his fellow Atlanteans.::

7:36:56 PM tkirr: ::offers Gerard a fully unreadable nod::

7:37:58 PM cmdrshelev: ::Limps on over to the other side.::

7:38:32 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Looks to Shelev, asking quietly:: Have they treated you alright?

7:38:34 PM cmdrshelev: ::Shelev's mind yells "I AM A PHENOMENAL IDIOT" loud enough for even passive telepathy to pick it up.::

7:38:50 PM tkirr: ::winces::

7:38:54 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::blinks at the sudden mental outcry::

7:38:55 PM cmdrshelev: It was lovely shoreleave.

7:39:30 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Captain Gerard. I've been made aware of the misinformation that you've received regarding my intent here. I hope that I've made myself clear by ending the hostilities.

7:40:02 PM tkirr: ::lingers on Shelev, looking him over::

7:40:38 PM tkirr: ((Ignore T'Kirr's wince))

7:40:45 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::has a sudden image of a Dali painting combined with circus music in his mind::

7:40:45 PM cmdrshelev: ::Shelev looks like the sort of white collar guy who spent a year in jail because he forgot to file income taxes one year and threw away the W-2::

7:41:49 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Only blue, and with antennae::

7:43:22 PM majdougmcknight: ::Drums his fingers lightly along the oak conference table for a moment.::  It's a pretty grand gesture, and no mistake.  I take it then, that you've been caught without any concrete means to actually PROVE it's misinformation?

7:43:41 PM VAdm Blackthorne: How does one prove a negative, Captain?

7:44:21 PM tkirr: ::clasps her hands behind her, watching the exchange::

7:45:35 PM majdougmcknight: ::Shrugs::  Sometimes, you get lucky and find that someone got sloppy with a forgery, or...whatever you want me to trust this is.  In any case, you've gotta understand the position I'm in.  And that YOU'RE in, for that matter.

7:45:59 PM majdougmcknight: Because there IS something rotten at Star Fleet Command, whether you're personally involved or not.  That much, we've been able to confirm.

7:46:17 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::nods:: I am aware of such. Unofficially, of course.

7:46:51 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::clasps his hands behind him and takes a deep breath:: I have a proposal that should convince you that there's nothing rotten here.

7:47:55 PM tkirr: ::slightly perks one brow and subtly looks at Blackthorne, curious::

7:48:09 PM majdougmcknight: ::Gestures for everyone to take a seat, as he leads by example, settling into a brown suede seat.  The man has some nice furniture.::  I'm listening.

7:48:34 PM cmdrshelev: ::Plops into a chair that has nothing to do with a cell, finally

7:49:01 PM tkirr: ::decides to sit, if only to be polite and unassuming::

7:49:11 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::sits in the nice chair:: We form a new joint militia to restore order and govern until the civilian government has full control. This militia would be headed by a Nyberrite.

7:49:17 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Sits carefully::

7:50:39 PM majdougmcknight: ::Pauses a moment, thinking this over, the expression on his face at least clearly demonstrating his liking for the idea.  Still...::  And what about up here?  In orbit?

7:51:14 PM VAdm Blackthorne: We withdraw and let the militia do its job.

7:53:37 PM majdougmcknight: ::Shakes his head::  That's not tactically feasible, and you know it.  You've seen how fast the situation can suddenly escalate, even without any help from either of us.  To ensure combat superiority, those troops are going to

7:54:33 PM majdougmcknight: require the logistical support capabilities of at least a few ships up here.  Especially when that ground force reaches its proper size.

7:55:19 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::nods:: True enough. I would be comfortable with leaving that responsibility to you.

7:56:32 PM majdougmcknight: Let's be clear on this.  You would accept Nyberrite command of this branch of the operation as well?

7:57:02 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Yes, as long as there was a guarantee of the return to status quo ante bellum when order is restored. That's been my mission all along.

7:58:12 PM majdougmcknight: ::Nods slowly::  Alright.  Provided Atlantis withdraws after the paperwork's all set, I will accept that as proof that someone's been blowing smoke up my ass.  On two conditions.

7:58:17 PM tkirr: ::eyes flick back and forth::

7:58:25 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::inclines his chin:: Go ahead.

8:01:10 PM majdougmcknight: First, you get this approved by Admiral Zuriyev.  Over the comm, in real time, with me in attendance.  No offense, but ultimately, you're not the one in charge.  Not of something this big.  I want the word of the one who is that

8:01:17 PM majdougmcknight: this will be honored.

8:01:36 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::smirks:: Easy enough.

8:01:54 PM majdougmcknight: Good.  Then I'll move on to the more important one.

8:03:04 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Of course. I admit that this is beyond Third Fleet's scope, but Admiral Zuriyev will back me.

8:04:30 PM majdougmcknight: ::Leans forward with a look of profound anger settling over his face::  WHO has been blowing smoke up my ass?  You say you have information; I don't care if "unofficial" means you got this off a fucking ouiji board. 

8:04:52 PM majdougmcknight: I want some explanation how this could have happened without you orchestrating it.  I want to know why 12 of my men are dead.

8:05:34 PM tkirr: ::wonders briefly what an ouiji board is before turning her attention to Blackthorne, wonder how much more he knows than her::

8:06:19 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::considers carefully::

8:07:10 PM VAdm Blackthorne: This is strictly off the record.

8:07:17 PM majdougmcknight: McKnight> Actually, I'm kinda curious about the nine of mine, sir.  Because this will be the first I've heard of this myself.

8:07:37 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::looks to McKnight:: They're my men too

8:08:40 PM majdougmcknight: ::Doesn't flinch.:: Then this conversation should have happened well before now, sir.

8:09:02 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> Doug, please.  Better late than never.

8:09:06 PM majdougmcknight: Admiral, go on.

8:09:38 PM VAdm Blackthorne: The war with the Machen Bren - there were members of the Admiralty that wanted it, despite the cost.

8:10:27 PM majdougmcknight: Well, duh.  Look forward to the next, plan for the last.  That's what brass is for.

8:10:32 PM majdougmcknight: No offense.

8:11:44 PM VAdm Blackthorne: None taken. They didn't plan on me stopping the war, and some want me to pay for it.

8:12:04 PM VAdm Blackthorne: There is a rat - or rats - but I have no proof as to their identities as of yet.

8:13:31 PM majdougmcknight: Hold on!  You're telling me that some dickhead with more pips than IQ points tried to start a war just to screw you over?  Because...what, because you stemmed the flow of bribes from defense contractors?

8:14:33 PM VAdm Blackthorne: My post-war popularity and press ran high. I imagine this made someone mad whose pockets were primed to be padded.

8:15:12 PM cmdrshelev: ((you are also a tremendous asshole :v: ))

8:15:37 PM VAdm Blackthorne: I even turned down a fourth pip.

8:15:59 PM majdougmcknight: ::Arches an eyebrow::  Christ.  You are one tremendous asshole.

8:16:18 PM tkirr: ::browperk::

8:16:18 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::laughs::

8:16:51 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Asshole I may be, I'm not the one trying to start wars for profit.

8:17:34 PM majdougmcknight: ::Lets out a loud sigh::  Alright then.  I suppose your officer with the pointy ears would tell me that logic dictates I have to believe you.  Because that would have to be the lamest line of bull anyone's ever tried to sell me on.

8:17:58 PM VAdm Blackthorne: You know as well as I do that pettiness grows as men grow older.

8:19:38 PM majdougmcknight: Why I have no plans to ever get old.  Alright then, I guess we ought to give your CO a call.  Comm unit in here's as good a way as any.

8:20:35 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::walks to the wall panel, notes that it's still LCARS, and punches up Starfleet HQ, entering in his identity as he requests Zuriyev's desk::

8:21:50 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> ::appears on the screen:: Blackthorne, that is not the Atlantis's transpond- hello.

8:22:17 PM tkirr: ::poses for the screen::

8:22:58 PM majdougmcknight: ::Rises to his feet with a grin::  Hi there, admiral!  I've heard...your name, in passing, a couple times.  How ya doing?

8:23:07 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Sir. ::explains WTF happened::

8:23:12 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> :pwn:

8:23:41 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> Remarkable developments, I must say.

8:23:57 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> You have obviously diffused the situation? ::looks to Gerard::

8:24:06 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Yes sir. ::outlines his proposal::

8:25:19 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> And you trust this man to keep his side of the bargain?

8:25:51 PM majdougmcknight: ::Looks expectantly at Blackthorne...since it was his idea and all.::

8:25:52 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Yes sir, I have no reason to suspect that he has been doing nothing but protecting Nyberrite interests in the face of a perceived threat.

8:26:57 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> And now that we are willing to agree to this plan, the threat is proven false. I see, and approve.

8:27:32 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> Starfleet wants to return to the previous mutually beneficial situation on the planet.

8:28:00 PM majdougmcknight: For what it's worth, as huge of a clusterfuck as this has been, I'm pretty sure I can talk my way back into the good graces of Nyberrite Command.  I'll see to it they assign a commander who won't be too heavy handed with the

8:28:03 PM majdougmcknight: authority issue.

8:28:27 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> Then the matter is settled.

8:29:49 PM majdougmcknight: Sure is.  Now then, love to chat some more, but I have guests who I'm pretty sure will be eager to get back home.  Hemingway out.

8:30:15 PM VAdm Blackthorne: One more thing, Captain. I'd appreciate it if you'd name your source on that PADD.

8:31:44 PM majdougmcknight: ::As the screen goes dark::  I can do better than that.  Captain Dex, please show our guests back to the transporter room.  However, why don't you stay a moment, join me in my office, Blackthorne?

8:31:59 PM cmdrshelev: (( seymour butts ))

8:32:51 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Certainly. ::looks to the other four::

8:32:56 PM tkirr: ::looks to the guards, then to Blackthorne hesitantly::

8:33:00 PM cmdrshelev: Can I go home?

8:33:27 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> ::Moves to the door. and motions them to step through::  You follow me, you go home.

8:33:29 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Please do, Harper's getting smug.

8:33:57 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::nods to T'Kirr::

8:34:10 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> And Doug, watch your comm.  Now that the point of guns has passed, we need to have a nice, long chat.

8:35:00 PM tkirr: ::follows the guards::

8:35:05 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::rises after T'Kirr, and follows::

8:35:10 PM majdougmcknight: McKnight> ::Nods with a genuine smile before following the ladies.::

8:35:15 PM cmdrshelev: ::Limps out of the room, milking the leg for all it's worth.::

8:35:19 PM tkirr: ::the guards being Dex...::

8:38:27 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> ::Once they're clear, motions Blackthorne to follow him as he heads across the bridge.  He's changed some of the furniture, but he hasn't moved the ready room.::

8:39:19 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::does so, following the familiar path::

8:42:18 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ACTION> Shelev, T'Kirr, Percy, and McKnight make it back to the Atlantis.

8:42:23 PM majdougmcknight: ::Once inside, Gerard silently scoops a PADD off his desk, and hands it to Blackthorne, after unlocking the contents with his thumb print.::  We captured an agent of Star Fleet intelligence.  After some prodding, we got a name, his

8:43:44 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Pinches the bridge of her nose once she's back on the Atlantis, immediately heading off to get herself a good raktagino before getting back to work::

8:43:51 PM majdougmcknight: orders, much of which I think you'll find somewhat familiar, and...the location on Orban II where his handler tends to frequent to give out orders.

8:44:18 PM majdougmcknight: Apparently, some restaurant in the area makes a corned beef sandwich he just can't resist.

8:45:32 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::takes the PADD:: This - this is the sort of lead I need to bring these rats down.

8:46:11 PM cmdrshelev: ::Shelev goes to his quarters and starts writing the world's most boring jail memoir ever

8:46:37 PM majdougmcknight: I expect to hear all about it.

8:47:13 PM VAdm Blackthorne: You may sooner than you think.

8:47:59 PM tkirr: ::heads off to the Bridge, and once there, monitors the Hemingway::

8:48:12 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Harper> ::stands when T'Kirr enters the bridge:: Ma'am.

8:48:47 PM VAdm Blackthorne: This may be the sort of operation that requires an off-the-record mission. Would your services be available in such a case?

8:50:25 PM majdougmcknight: ::Grins::  For this one, I may even offer a discount.

8:51:07 PM tkirr: ::nods to Harper and focuses on her panel:: There's been an agreement between Gerard and Admiral Blackthorne.

8:51:10 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Good to know, Captain. Take care and give Sellers a raincheck for me on that beer.

8:51:17 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Has, by now, finished repairs on Blackthorne's fighter, and moves on to T'Kirr's. She monitors the other engineers for a moment. A

8:51:18 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Harper> Oh?

8:51:18 PM ltcmdrbusard: few seemed overworked, so she gave a few of them a break before turning to the fighter in front of her::

8:53:02 PM majdougmcknight: ::Smiles softly::  I'm sure there are bars on Orban II.

8:53:32 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::chuckles as he taps his commbadge:: Atlantis, one to beam out.

8:53:34 PM VAdm Blackthorne: PAUSE SIM

8:53:36 PM VAdm Blackthorne: PAUSE SIM

8:53:38 PM VAdm Blackthorne: PAUSE SIM

8:53:44 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Pauses;:

8:53:49 PM VAdm Blackthorne: omg foreshadowing

8:53:50 PM tkirr: ::pauses::

8:56:23 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Next week we should have another plot ready, so for log purposes we're all cozy back on Atlantis and have left this planet.

8:56:39 PM cmdrshelev: oh god I need to invent another war

8:57:03 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Shhhhhh

9:00:21 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Two promotions from this plot, so hey. :dance:

9:00:36 PM ltcmdrbusard: Wewt!

9:01:38 PM majdougmcknight: Yes, very nice.

9:01:53 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Log time, now that everyone's happy on the ship again!

9:02:18 PM majdougmcknight: Indeed.  But that's later.  For now, I should get going.  I'm buying your engineer pancakes.

9:02:24 PM ltcmdrbusard: :-D

9:02:27 PM ltcmdrbusard: I love my marine.

9:02:39 PM majdougmcknight: Yes, yes.

9:02:43 PM majdougmcknight: Night, folks!

9:02:47 PM ltcmdrbusard: 'Night guys.

9:03:06 PM tkirr: Night all

9:03:52 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Night!